❖ Objection:
It is argued that if the event of the splitting of the moon (Shaqq al-Qamar) truly occurred, it should have been visible worldwide and documented in historical records across the globe.
❖ Response:
The event of the splitting of the moon was a miracle, and the scope of a miracle can be limited to specific circumstances and individuals. The purpose of a miracle is to convince those who witness it or those who demand it.
✿ Explanation of the Time and Circumstances of the Event:
Why was the moon not observed splitting across the whole world?
① At that time, the moon was only visible in Arabia and its eastern regions.
② The miracle occurred for a brief moment, without any explosion or release of light.
③ It was an unexpected event, so people around the world were not constantly watching the moon.
④ For this reason, only those who had demanded the miracle became its witnesses.
✿ Evidences of the Splitting of the Moon
➊ Observation by King Cheraman Perumal of Malabar
King Cheraman Perumal of Malabar (present-day Kerala, India) witnessed the splitting of the moon with his own eyes.
Details of the Event:
- The king was walking on the terrace of his palace when he saw the moon split into two parts and rejoin.
- Deeply astonished, he set out to discover the truth.
- He learned from merchants that the event had occurred through a Prophet ﷺ in Makkah.
- Abandoning his throne, he traveled to Arabia, met the Prophet ﷺ, and embraced Islam, adopting the name Tajuddin.
- He passed away in Yemen on his return journey, but instructed his successor to build a mosque in Cranganore.
- This mosque is known today as Cheraman Juma Masjid and is considered the first mosque in the Indian subcontinent.
Reference: Wikipedia: Cheraman Juma Masjid
➋ Archaeological Evidence
Archaeologists discovered an ancient inscription on stones from an old building in China mentioning a “great celestial event.”
Result of Research:
- Upon calculating the date inscribed on the stones, researchers found it corresponded to the same period when the miracle of the splitting of the moon took place.
Reference: Bākūrat al-Kalām, quoted in “Muhammad ﷺ,” p. 383, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut.
➌ Debate Between Reverend Pfander and Mawlana Rahmatullah Kairanwi
During British rule, the renowned missionary Reverend Pfander raised objections about the splitting of the moon in a debate with Mawlana Rahmatullah Kairanwi. However, he was left speechless by Mawlana’s responses.
Reference: “From Bible to Qur'an,” by Mufti Taqi Usmani, Volume 3, Page 115.
➍ Mention in Tarikh-i-Firishta
The renowned historian Muhammad Qasim Firishta recorded the following in his historical account:
- Muslims arriving from Arabia informed the King of Malabar about the event of the splitting of the moon.
- The king ordered his astrologers to investigate, who confirmed that on a certain date, the moon had split and rejoined.
- As a result of this incident, the king accepted Islam.
✿ The Miracle of Splitting of the Moon and Science
➊ Why is the miracle beyond the domain of science?
The Limitations of Science:
- Science is an evolving discipline that continually changes. What is accepted today may be refuted tomorrow.
- Nature of a Miracle: A miracle is not subject to natural laws but is a manifestation of divine power.
- Scientific Boundaries: Science only accepts what can be tested and observed, while miracles transcend scientific laws.
➋ Two Perspectives on the Miracle:
① Limitations of Current Scientific Knowledge:
The splitting of the moon may lie beyond the current scope of scientific understanding. It is possible that future science might provide some explanation.
② Beyond but Not Against Science:
While a miracle may be beyond science, it is not irrational or contradictory to reason.
❖ Conclusion:
The splitting of the moon was a divine miracle, supported by historical and logical evidence. The absence of its mention in Western historical records does not negate its occurrence, as many significant historical events are only documented within specific nations or civilizations.
